New Iowa laws take effect today

Some highlights include oversight of Iowa's transition to a privately managed Medicaid program, making it easier to prosecute "Peeping Toms," and allowing ATV and snowmobile riders to carry guns under certain conditions.

“Iowans should be aware of several changes we made to Iowa law beginning on July 1 that could impact their lives,” said Democratic State Representative Bob Kressig, of Cedar Falls. “This year, we worked together and closed the gap in our skilled workforce by revamping our career and job training program starting in high school, worked to stop human trafficking, and made it easier for Iowa Veterans to land a job after serving.”

Kressig sent out this list, highlighting some additional changes:

Investing in Iowa’s Future and Rural Iowa

Revamped our career and job training programs starting in high school to help close Iowa’s skilled workforce gap

Invested in Iowa’s kids by moderately raising student funding

Incentivized biofuels to help our rural economies grow

Expanded the use of tele-pharmacy in “pharmacy deserts” in rural areas of Iowa

Protecting Iowans

Created new oversight to ensure no Iowan falls through the cracks during the transition to Medicaid privatization

Formed a new office to combat Human Trafficking and expanded the definition of child abuse to include sex trafficking to keep more children safe

Prevented additional types of synthetic drugs from getting into the hands of kids

Supporting Iowa’s Veterans

Created one place for employers to get Veterans preference information to make it easier for Veterans to land a job after serving our country

Ensured that unclaimed cremated remains that belong to a Veteran get a proper burial at a state or federal Veteran’s cemetery

Made it easier for a Veteran to receive a Veterans designation on their driver’s license